Two Utah players selected in Major League Draft

Even though it was a tough season for the Utes baseball team, two players heard their names called at the Major League Draft on Monday. Shortstop Core Jackson was taken in in the fifth round by the …

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Even though it was a tough season for the Utes baseball team, two players heard their names called at the Major League Draft on Monday.

Shortstop Core Jackson was taken in in the fifth round by the New York Yankees, while pitcher Merrit Jones went to the Minnesota Twins in the 14th round.

Jackson is the highest drafted Utah player since DaShawn Keirsey was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 draft by Minnesota.

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Jackson was voted first-team all-conference both in the Pac-12 (2024) and Big 12 (2025), starting all 100 games that he appeared in. He hit .364 this past season with 12 home runs and 44 RBI. As a junior, Jackson hit .363.

Jones made 46 appearances in his three seasons with the Utes, including 40 starts. Jones ranks sixth in career starts and 10^th in strikeouts (175).

Jones went 4-6 in 15 appearances during the 2025 season. He threw 79 innings and had 58 strikeouts. He went seven innings in a road win over a ranked Arizona club, sealing a series victory for the Utes over the eventual Big 12 Tournament champions. He also was the victor against an eventual NCAA Regional participant in TCU.

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Salt Lake Community College pitcher Jaxon Grossman was taken in the 16th round by the Texas Rangers. Grossman was 6-0 for the national champion Bruins with an ERA of 5.15 this past season in 14 appearances with 9 starts.

BYU pitcher Garrison Sumner went in the 20th round to the Boston Red Sox. Sumner was 3-3 for the Cougars in 2025 with an ERA of 8.18 in 14 appearances with 11 starts.

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Source: Utah News